KaylaTRBG’s Comments (group member since Feb 19, 2018)

KaylaTRBG’s comments from the The Digital Book Club: Create. Learn. Inspire. group.

Hey everyone!

I’m starting Part 2 (chapter 16) and I cannot put this book down! From the nuances of black lives matter to being able to relate to the characters, Angie Thomas did a fantastic job. Reading this novel reminds me of why I loved reading in the first place: the literature transports you into the story.

I think the author so far has done a great job of describing today’s racially charged climate from the point of view of 16 year old girl who’s trying to find her own identity in a confusing environment. Starr is an intelligent young girl who’s innocence has yet again been violated by the death of a childhood friend. Watching her come to various realizations of the state of black America, strained police-community relations, as well as the broken justice system touches us all as we remember when we had those same realizations.

Thomas makes us think (and YA readers) about the truth of living in poorer black neighborhoods. What challenges both adults and children face, how hard it can be to fit in, and how the government affects the people in these areas. This is definitely a book that I’ve been excited to read and I haven’t been disappointed.

I’m hoping not only that Starr will continue to speak her truth of the unfortunate situation, but also work to set the record straight for young Khalil. I think Thomas allows the reader to even challenge themselves by asking, “What would you do? What is the right way to handle this as a young person?”

Anyway I am so excited to finish this book. I started on May 10th and I’m pretty sure I’m halfway done. Looking forward to more discussion!

-Kayla

I am so so sooooo happy that I’m reading this book at this point in my life; this time after college I’ve been on a journey of self discovery, which has resulted in failures and successes. I think one thing I’ve really taken away from the First Agreement is on page 31. “When you are impeccable [with your word], you take responsibility for your actions, but you do not judge or blame yourself.” Learning how powerful words and commitments are makes me feel like we have so much control on how we can live our lives! Excited for more reflecting.